Feeding mechanism for arc lamps



Jan! 19, 1932. E. c. BALLMAN FEEDING MECHANISM FOR ARC LAMPS Filed Dec. 6, 1929 tTmw/v C. BALL/VAN,

Patented Jan. 19, 1932 TENT OFFECE EDWIN C. BALLMAN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI FEEDING MECHANISM FOR ARC LAMPS Application filed December 6, 1929. Serial No. 412,023.

This invention pertains to are lamps, and more particularly to lamps of the hand feed type.

This are lamp is designed more particu- -larly for use in connection with lamps for producing ultraviolet radiation for use in medical work and the like. Its use, however, is not restricted to this type of lamp but may be applied to projection apparatus, search lights and other installations in which a hand feed arc lamp is desired.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an arc lamp in which both carbons may be uniformly fed simultaneously by means of a single manipulative element.

Another object is to provide such a lamp which will automatically rotate the carbons as they are fed. 7

Another object is to provide a lamp which is simple and compact in construction and easy to manipulate.

Further objects will appear from the description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of an arc lamp embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is a. section on line 2--2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front view of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a section on line 44, Fig. 3.

Referring to the'drawings, 1 designates a base of insulating material which may be arranged in any suitable manner for mounting in the lamp housing. Mounted on the base 1 is a pair of supporting brackets 2. These brackets may be simply formed of sheet metal bent at an angle. One side of the angle is then secured to the base 1 by means of screws 3, or other suitable fastenings. One of the screws 3 may serve as a terminal connection for leading in wires 4; which carry the current to the lamp. The other side of the angle which forms the bracket 2 is arranged to project upwardly from the base 1, as shown in Fig. 3. Each bracket 2 has mounted thereon a pair of carbon-supporting rollers, 5. These rollers are grooved and those in each bracket are in alignment with one another so that the carbon 6 may be placed in the aligned grooves to be supported thereby for axial movement in the rollers.

The brackets 2 are positioned on the base in angular relation to one another so that the carbons placed in the supporting rollers 5 are held an angle to one another so as to converge toward a single point when fed forwardly. Each bracket 2 is provided with a guide slot adapted to receive the shank 8 of an actuator 9. The slot 7 guides the actuator for vertical movement but maintains the same in alignment in a position to span the angle between the carbons. The actuator is maintained in contact with both carbons by springs 10 secured to the base 1, and engaging the shank 8 on each end. These springs force the actuator yieldingly into engagement with the carbons. That part of the actuator 9 which engages each carbon is knurled or toothed, as indicated at 11, so as to be able to feed the carbons positively when the actuator is rotated by means of a manipulative element 12 on one end of the shank 8.

The actuator 9 is constructed in two half parts each having a T head 13. The two heads 13 are secur d at right angles to each other to opposite faces of an insulating disc 14 by means of screws 15, or other suitable fasteners. This construction serves to insulate the two halves of the actuator from each other so as to avoid short circuiting of carbons.

In the operation of this are lamp, the carbons are inserted by lifting the actuator against the tension of the spring 10 and then slipping the carbon between the actuator and the rollers 5. The carbons are adjusted to such a position on the rollers 5 so that their tips will meet when fed forwardly. When this adjustment has been made the carbons may be fed forward or back by simply turning the actuator in one direction or another. Both carbons are fed simultaneously and at the same rate. Accordingly, they will meet at a certain point which is fixed relatively to the base 1. The are so formed between the tips of the carbons will therefore, always be maintained in the same position. Accordingly, the lamp may be used in connection with a focusing reflector or lens and when i its once adjusted to the proper focus, the arc will always be maintained at the same point.

On account of the angular relation between the carbons and the actuator, the latter will rotate both carbons during the feeding movement. This rotation will act to continuously present a new face of the carbon to the are as the carbon is consumed. Accordingly, any tendency for the tip of the carbon to burn crooked will be compensated for.

lVhile this are lamp has been described as a unitary device, it will be understood that certain individual features or sub-combinations may be useful withoutreference to other parts of the invention, and that the employment of such features or sub-combinations is contemplated by this invention and is within the scope of the appended claims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, in the details of construction wi hout departing from the spirit of this invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that this invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and/or described.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

1. An arc lamp, comprising, an insulating base, a pair of angle brackets each having a foot portion secured to said base, said brackets being positioned on said base in inclined relation to one another, guide rollers on said brackets adapted to receive and guide a pair of electrodes for axial movement in inclined relation to each other, a common actuator journaled in said brackets for movement toward and from said guide rollers, and means for yieldingly urging said actuator toward said guide rollers.

2. An arc lamp, comprising, an insulating base, a pair of angle brackets each having a foot portion secured to said base, said brackets being positioned on said base in inclined relation to one another, guide rollers on said brackets adapted to receive and guide a pair of electrodes for axial movement in inclined relation to each other, a pair of shaft sections each provided with feeding means engageable with. an electrode on said guide rollers, an insulating disc, means on said shaft sections connected to said disc so as to join said sections in insulated relation to provide a unitary actuator, means for rotatably mounting said actuator in said brackets for movement toward and from said guide rollers, and means for yieldingly urging said actuator toward said guide rollers.

3. An arc lamp, comprising, an insulating base, a pair of angle brackets each having a foot portion secured to said base, said brackets being positioned on said base in inclined relation to one another, guide rollers on said brackets adapted to receive and guide a pair of electrodes for axial movement in inclined relation to each other, a pair of shaft sections each provided with feeding means engageable with an electrode on said guide' rollers, an insulating disc, arms on said sections connected in transverse relation to opposite sides of said disc so as to join said sections in insulated relation to provide a unitary actuator, means for rotatably mounting said actautor in said brackets for movement toward and from said guide rollers, and means for yieldingly urging said actuator toward said guide rollers.

4. An arc lamp, comprising, an insulating base, a pair of angle brackets each having a foot portion secured to said base, said brackets being positioned on said base in inclined relation to one another, guide rollers on said brackets adapted to receive and guide a pair of electrodes for axial movement in inclined relation to each other, said brackets having slots extending toward said guide rollers, a pair of shaft sections journaled in said slots and each provided with toothed feeding means engageable with an electrode on said guide rollers, an insulating disc, arms on said sections connected in transverse relation to opposite sides of said disc so as to join said sections in insulated relation to provide a unitary actuator, and springs between said actuator and said base to yieldingly press said feeding means against electrodes on said guide rollers.

5. An are lamp, comprising, an insulating base, a pair of angle brackets each having a foot brackets being positioned on said base in inclined relation to one another, guide rollers on said brackets adapted to receive and guide a pair of electrodes for axial movement in inclined relation to each other, said brackets having slots extending toward said guide rollers, a pair of shaft sections journaled in said slots and each provided with toothed feeding means engageable with an electrode on said guide rollers, an insulating disc, arms on said sections connected in transverse relation to opposite sides of said disc so as to join said sections in insulated relation to provide a unitary actuator, springs between said actuator and said base to yieldingly press said feeding means against electrodes on said guide rollers, and a manipulating handle on said actuator.

In testimony whereof I aitix my signature this 24th day of September, 1929.

EDlVIN C. BALLMAN.

portion secured to said base, said llO 

